Another twist for the Next Food Network Star: Adam Gertler gets a TV show

Adam Gertler, a Next Food Network Star finalist who lost to Aaron McCargo Jr., will also be getting his own show, according to a press release.

Adam Gertler, courtesy of Food Network

The show, “Will Work for Food,” is already in production and will air Tuesday, Sept. 30 at 9:30 p.m.

“He [Gertler] earned millions of fans across the country who have let us know that we have a second star in our midst,” said Bob Tuschman, a Food Network senior vice president and one of the show’s judges. “On The Next Food Network Star Adam exhibited a unique combination of quick wit, passion for food and an engaging personality.”

To make things even more interesting, Adam’s show is scheduled for prime time on Tuesday nights, whereas Aaron McCargo Jr.’s Big Daddy’s House runs Sunday at 1:30 p.m.

Big Daddy’s House has so little prominence that after I missed the premiere last Sunday afternoon, I couldn’t find a re-run on TV or a copy online. There was no hint of interest on YouTube, and Google couldn’t even find me a blog.

(I should note that the network was kind enough to mail me an episode, but I won’t get it until Monday. Read about my search for the new audience Aaron is supposed to reach here.)

The winner of the Next Food Network Star, Aaron, was said to have had both personality and skill, but he was neither as talented as his competitor Lisa Garza nor as entertaining as Adam Gertler.

The whole thing feels like a failed attempt to play the race card with viewers. I hope a kid somewhere is inspired and Aaron continues to push that angle, because the judge’s decision left most people disappointed.

A clip from the press release on “Will Work for Food”:

“‘Will Work for Food’ follows Adam on a fearless journey to learn about a wide variety of unique food jobs. Throughout the series, Adam will introduce viewers to the people who do this work the best, as he learns the tricks of the trade and tries everything firsthand. Whether he’s protecting his fingers while feeding sharks, closely examining potato chips for flaws or trying his hand as a dog food taste tester, Adam will stop at nothing to learn how each job is done.”

A different press release about The Next Food Network Star ratings here.